NGO JOBS

Organization: UN Children's Fund
Country: United States of America
Closing date: 15 Aug 2013

Terms of referencesTo develop an Inclusive Communication training module for UNICEF Staff and partners

BackgroundUNICEF work on disability is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which in Article 2 expressly prohibits discrimination of any kind, including on the grounds of disability and also by the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), in which Children with disabilities are visible throughout the treaty. Article 8 of the CRPD explicitly recognizes that Awareness Raising is needed to combat stereotypes and prejudices about disability and to promote the capabilities and contributions of people with disabilities. It mandates that people with disabilities are seen as their own minority group with whom States parties have the obligation to work with on an equal basis. UNICEF is actively engaged in helping member states to ratify and implement these Conventions. In 2010-2011, with a heightened focus on equity, UNICEF began scaling up its capacity to support and advance inclusive programming for children and women with disabilities. A Disability Section was formed and is currently working intensely to ensure that the principles and practice of the CRC and the CRPD in regards to children with disabilities are incorporated throughout UNICEF’s advocacy, programming and humanitarian work. In 2012 the Disability section produces a 45-min video Disability Orientation . The objective of the orientation is to strengthen understanding of, and capacity to support programming for children and women with disabilities. This training module gives an overview of disability concepts, models and terminology. The next step in our action plan on training is to develop thematic disability modules going deeper in specific technical areas. In 2013, two new modules are planned: (1) on Inclusive Education, led by the UNICEF Education teams in HQ and in CEECIS; and (2) on Inclusive Communication led by UNICEF HQ’s Disability in collaboration with Communication for Development Sections and the Division of Communication (DOC). This module will be produced building on the great momentum generated by the recent launch of the 2013 State of the World’s Children Report that focuses on children with Disabilities. For the first time, communication staff, national committees and country offices utilized inclusive communications to disseminate a report. An immediate follow up is needed to retain the acquired knowledge and install permanent capacity within UNICEF and in partnering organizations. Purpose of the consultancyTo develop module on Inclusive Communications that will guide UNICEF communications’ efforts in policies, practices and programmes, as well in fundraising strategies and activities. This module will be developed in close collaboration with DOC. The consultant will be working closely with disability specialists and UNICEF’s communication specialists, photographer, cameraman. The specific focus will be on social media, as it is a key element for the future UNICEF communications. New UNICEF’s approach to the communication should be taken into the consideration with the emphasis on interactive approach with the audience. Format: The learning module will be developed as a 20 - 30 minutes video and will incorporate an evaluation component. It will follow the format and style of the above mentioned Disability Orientation and will have several ways of application: face-to-face, group discussion, online training, webinars and others.
Objectives for the module: • To provide a comprehensive understanding of the social/human rights model of disability and how it impacts on communications;• In collaboration with DOC, to provide clear guidelines for shifting from a negative to a positive approach towards portraying children and adults with disabilities in an inclusionary way;• To use “Communication for Development” (C4D) processes to promote behaviour and social change based on human rights principles and the participation of ALL children, families and communities;• To ensure compliance with CEDAW, CRC, CRPD and other human rights convention with regard to stereotypical portrayals and communication;• To promote a focus on inclusive communications for programming and for promoting social inclusion for all, taking into account the cultural and social determinants that lead to the exclusion of vulnerable groups.

Target audiences: UNICEF communication and C4D staff, programme staff, UNICEF national committees, PARMO, PFP and partnering organizations.

Activities• Develop a storyboard outlining the content of the inclusive communication learning module• Collect relevant materials (e.g. PowerPoint, photos, graphics, and video footage on activities at the country level) to include in the video• Develop the final script of the inclusive communication module with details for producer • Develop the pre and post evaluation mechanism • Develop the supporting materials: Guidelines on inclusive communication and accessibility in events (update existing) Checklist for scrip writing and producing, checklist for video recording, checklist for photography developed • Develop short guidance on inclusive social media materials, insuring that all UNICEF’s channels are covered• Conduct a pre-test with UNICEF staff at all levels and partner Deliverables and Deadlines Outputs/deliverables Estimated Duration(days) DeadlineFirst draft of the outlines of the module to UNICEF for vetting by technical reference group (Disability Section, DOC, C4D) 4 31 August 2013 Second draft of the outlines of the module 3 5 September 2013Finalized outlines for the inclusive communication module 3 10 September 2013First draft of the script 6 25 September 2013Second draft of the script 6 12 October 2013Submission of the final Script ( approved by Disability Section, DOC, C4D) 6 27 October 2013Evaluation options prepared 2 3 November 2013Evaluation finalized 2 8 November 2013Guidelines on inclusive communication and accessibility in events updated, Checklist for scrip writing and producing, checklist for video recording, checklist for photography developed (In collaboration with DOC) 3 15 November 2013Short guidance on inclusive social media materials, insuring that all UNICEF’s channels are covered 3 21 November Conduct a pre-test with UNICEF staff at all levels and partner 2 30 November 2013 TOTAL 40

Timeframe: From 19th August 2013 – 31 December 2013 the consultant will be working 40 days within the outlined period. Notes: These dates will be adjusted to reflect the actual starting date of the consultancy.Qualifications: • At least 15 years of proven experience in the field of disability and communication for development or training in the social sector, including the development of training modules or courses and technical guidelines• Proven experience in creative or script writing/ audio-visual production/ visual arts/ communication material production• At least 5 years’ experience in development of online learning curricula• Good knowledge of human rights, the human rights-based approach (HRBAP) and the UN's work in developing human rights-based programmes;• Ideally, experience working with UNICEF in disability, particularly at field level• Advanced degree in communication related arts/ visual media/ design • Strong understanding of UN and UNICEF approaches and experience in disability• Proven experience in the creation and design of learning content• Excellent writing skills• Ability to work with minimal supervision

The work may be done anywhere, though a New York-based consultant is preferred for easier in-person consultation.

Joint applications of two or more individuals are not accepted.

General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants / Individual Contractors

1. Legal StatusThe individual engaged by UNICEF under this contract as a consultant or individual contractors (the “Contractor”) is engaged in a personal capacity and not as representatives of a Government or of any other entity external to the United Nations. The Contractor is neither a "staff member" under the Staff Regulations of the United Nations and UNICEF policies and procedures nor an "official" for the purpose of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, 1946. The Contractor may, however, be afforded the status of "Experts on Mission" in the sense of Section 22 of Article VI of the Convention and the Contractor is required by UNICEF to travel in order to fulfill the requirements of this contract, the Contractor may be issued a United Nations Certificate in accordance with Section 26 of Article VII of the Convention.
2. ObligationsThe Contractor shall complete the assignment set out in the Terms of Reference for this contract with due diligence, efficiency and economy, in accordance with generally accepted professional techniques and practices.

The Contractor must respect the impartiality and independence of UNICEF and the United Nations and in connection with this contract must neither seek nor accept instructions from anyone other than UNICEF. During the term of this contract the Contractor must refrain from any conduct that would adversely reflect on UNICEF or the United Nations and must not engage in any activity that is incompatible with the administrative instructions and policies and procedures of UNICEF. The Contractor must exercise the utmost discretion in all matters relating to this contract.

In particular, but without limiting the foregoing, the Contractor (a) will conduct him- or herself in a manner consistent with the Standards of Conduct in the International Civil Service; and (b) will comply with the administrative instructions and policies and procedures of UNICE relating to fraud and corruption; information disclosure; use of electronic communication assets; harassment, sexual harassment and abuse of authority; and the requirements set forth in the Secretary General's Bulletin on Special Measures for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse.

Unless otherwise authorized by the appropriate official in the office concerned, the Contractor must not communicate at any time to the media or to any institution, person, Government or other entity external to UNICEF any information that has not been made public and which has become known to the Contractor by reason of his or her association with UNICEF or the United Nations. The Contractor may not use such information without the written authorization of UNICEF, and shall under no circumstances use such information for his or her private advantage or that of others. These obligations do not lapse upon termination of this contact.3. Title rightsUNICEF shall be entitled to all property rights, including but not limited to patents, copyrights and trademarks, with regard to material created by the Contractor which bears a direct relation to, or is made in order to perform, this contract. At the request of UNICEF, the Contractor shall assist in securing such property rights and transferring them to UNICEF in compliance with the requirements of the law governing such rights.4. TravelIf UNICEF determines that the Contractor needs to travel in order to perform this contract, that travel shall be specified in the contract and the Contractor’s travel costs shall be set out in the contract, on the following basis: (a) UNICEF will pay for travel in economy class via the most direct and economical route; provided however that in exceptional circumstances, such as for medical reasons, travel in business class may be approved by UNICEF on a case-by-case basis.
(b) UNICEF will reimburse the Contractor for out-of-pocket expenses associated with such travel by paying an amount equivalent to the daily subsistence allowance that would be paid to staff members undertaking similar travel for official purposes.

1. Statement of good healthBefore commencing work, the Contractor must deliver to UNICEF a certified self-statement of good health and to take full responsibility for the accuracy of that statement. In addition, the Contractor must include in this statement of good health (a) confirmation that he or she has been informed regarding inoculations required for him or her to receive, at his or her own cost and from his or her own medical practitioner or other party, for travel to the country or countries to which travel is authorized; and (b) a statement he or she is covered by medical/health insurance and that, if required to travel beyond commuting distance from his or her usual place or residence to UNICEF (other than to duty station(s) with hardship ratings “H” and “A”, a list of which has been provided to the Contractor) the Contractor’s medical/health insurance covers medical evacuations. The Contractor will be responsible for assuming all costs that may be occurred in relation to the statement of good health.

2. InsuranceThe Contractor is fully responsible for arranging, at his or her own expense, such life, health and other forms of insurance covering the term of this contract as he or she considers appropriate taking into account, among other things, the requirements of paragraph 5 above. The Contractor is not eligible to participate in the life or health insurance schemes available to UNICEF and United Nations staff members. The responsibility of UNICEF and the United Nations is limited solely to the payment of compensation under the conditions described in paragraph 7 below.

3. Service incurred death, injury or illness If the Contractor is travelling with UNICEF’s prior approval and at UNICEF's expense in order to perform his or her obligations under this contract, or is performing his or her obligations under this contract in a UNICEF or United Nations office with UNICEF’s approval, the Contractor (or his or her dependents as appropriate), shall be entitled to compensation from UNICEF in the event of death, injury or illness attributable to the fact that the Contractor was travelling with UNICEF’s prior approval and at UNICEF's expense in order to perform his or her obligations under this contractor, or was performing his or her obligations under this contract in a UNICEF or United Nations office with UNICEF’s approval. Such compensation will be paid through a third party insurance provider retained by UNICEF and shall be capped at the amounts set out in the Administrative Instruction on Individual Consultants and Contractors. Under no circumstances will UNICEF be liable for any other or greater payments to the Contractor (or his or her dependents as appropriate).

4. Arbitration(a) Any dispute arising out of or, in connection with, this contract shall be resolved through amicable negotiation between the parties.
   (b) If the parties are not able to reach agreement after attempting amicable negotiation for a period of thirty (30) days after one party has notified the other of such a dispute, either party may submit the matter to arbitration in accordance with the UNCITRAL procedures within fifteen (15) days thereafter. If neither party submits the matter for arbitration within the specified time the dispute will be deemed resolved to the full satisfaction of both parties. Such arbitration shall take place in New York before a single arbitrator agreed to by both parties; provided however that should the parties be unable to agree on a single arbitrator within thirty days of the request for arbitration, the arbitrator shall be designated by the United Nations Legal Counsel. The decision rendered in the arbitration shall constitute final adjudication of the dispute.

5. Penalties for UnderperformancePayment of fees to the Contractor under this contractor, including each installment or periodic payment (if any), is subject to the Contractor’s full and complete performance of his or her obligations under this contract with regard to such payment to UNICEF’s satisfaction, and UNICEF’s certification to that effect.

6. Termination of ContractThis contract may be terminated by either party before its specified termination date by giving notice in writing to the other party. The period of notice shall be five (5) business days (in the UNICEF office engaging the Contractor) in the case of contracts for a total period of less than two (2) months and ten (10) business days (in the UNICEF office engaging the Contractor) in the case of contracts for a longer period; provided however that in the event of termination on the grounds of impropriety or other misconduct by the Contractor (including but not limited to breach by the Contractor of relevant UNICEF policies, procedures, and administrative instructions), UNICEF shall be entitled to terminate the contract without notice. If this contract is terminated in accordance with this paragraph 10, the Contractor shall be paid on a pro rata basis determined by UNICEF for the actual amount of work performed to UNICEF’s satisfaction at the time of termination. UNICEF will also pay any outstanding reimbursement claims related to travel by the Contractor. Any additional costs incurred by UNICEF resulting from the termination of the contract by either party may be withheld from any amount otherwise due to the Contractor under this paragraph 10.

7. TaxationUNICEF and the United Nations accept no liability for any taxes, duty or other contribution payable by the consultant and individual contractor on payments made under this contract. Neither UNICEF nor the United Nations will issue a statement of earnings to the consultant and individual contractor

How to apply:

Qualified candidates are requested to submit a daily rate, cover letter, a CV and P 11 form (which can be downloaded from our website at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.html) to pdconsultants@unicef.org with subject line “Inclusive Communication training module”, by 15 August 2013. Please indicate your ability and availability to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a daily rate will not be considered.